Editor's Note: School Bells Giving Way to Sleigh Bells

Furthermore, a survey released in August by nonbank lender Capital Business Credit showed optimism among consumer-goods suppliers about holiday sales. Forty-three percent of the suppliers surveyed — who sell goods to retailers such as Wal-Mart and J.C. Penney — believe holiday sales will be stronger this year, a significant increase from the 27 percent who felt that way in 2011.